Decking Materials - What the Deck?

The most commonly known decking material is wood. Depending on where you are geographically located you may chose redwood, cedar or pine. More recently, woods such yellow cedar from Alaska or hardwoods from Malaysia have been imported for a more luxurious (and expensive) look. Choosing wood for your deck provides a lot of options as wood can be stained or painted to match your home. The biggest issue with wood decks is that it is not completely moisture resistant, and over time could rot if not properly taken care of.

Unfortunately, many of the types of wood are naturally inclined to warp or twist overtime as well. There are chemical treatments to prevent deterioration but with a health cautious society the public opinion of chemical treatments have declined. Additionally, wood decks require annual maintenance and staining which would can be time consuming and difficult to match. However, despite the costs and minor issues choosing a wood deck can be a very beautiful addition to your home.

A second popular option is known as composite, a marriage of synthetic plastic and real wood fiber. The composite material is composed of many recycled elements and therefore environmentally friendly. Composite decking is becoming very popular because of its durability, long life, and the ability to choose products that are smooth or have wood like grooves that provide a more natural look. Unlike wood this form of construction material does not splinter and most importantly does not require the high levels of maintenance like wood. The large variety available from different manufacturers is a positive and appealing trait, as usually the main difference between choices is the ratio of chemicals that affects durability and price.

A final option for decks is vinyl, which is very durable, affordable, and like composite has a long life. There is no wood in this product and is usually a completely manmade manufactured product. The finishes available do offer variety and choice, and wood still can be imitated. This option is often popular with safety conscious families as the finish is given a slip resistant treatment that helps to prevent accidents during rainfall.

Overall it is important to research the types of decking material to see what will best fit your needs and help achieve the look you want. Often, convenience and lower long term maintenance means higher initial costs, so be careful to pick what you want as well as what fits into your budget. Do your research and before you know it you will have a beautiful addition to your home that you will be able to enjoy for years to come.

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of home decking options. One such site worth visiting is http://www.paradisedecking.com.

Matthew Eddington independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. http://www.webdrafter.com for search engine marketing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

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